February 2012 Classic Trucks Letters - Postage Paid

Hats Off To You Jim! I just got my December issue, and I applaud your answer to the guy who had nothing better to whine about than the fact that you printed pix of rides that weren’t flawless. What planet does he live on anyway? In the real world, a truck that gets used picks up imperfections and it is next to impossible to correct them for every show the truck goes to. I’m a bit more put off at the guys who pay big bucks for phony “Patina.” A truck will get patina just by being used, so why go to the effort to fake it? It’s like paying extra for new jeans that come pre-faded, pre-ripped and pre-worn-out. Jeans will get that way too soon without all the bogus steps to fake it.

Also, as a “Noo Yawrker,” I was glad to see the write up about the Rhinebeck Good Guys show. I always try to make it to that event and was saddened to see that the 20th one will be the last for a while. The latest Good Guys newsletter mentioned that next year the Good Guys East Coast Nationals will be held in Springfield, Massachusetts, a bit too far for a day trip from Long Island. But, we don’t live in a perfect world, as most of us already know. Thanks for making CT one of the best publications out there. I look forward to each issue. Keep up the good work!

Anthony GuyVia email

Hi Anthony, Thanks for taking the time to write. The editorial you’re talking about was a way for me to vent a bit, and though you agree (and I do appreciate it) in retrospect, I think I was a bit too whiney myself. I have to keep remembering that it takes all kinds to make a world and I should really just grin and bear it rather than blabbering about it in an editorial.

In regards to the next East Coast Nats, Springfield really isn’t too much farther than Rhinebeck, I hope you’ll think about reconsidering as I’m sure it’ll be fun. And sometimes a change of scenery is a good thing. RIZ

Jim, I’m building a ’52 Chevy pickup and remember seeing you guys building a similar year project truck in the past. I’ve always seemed to have had cooling problems as there is limited space for an electric fan and I remember during that build you had similar problems. I read you were going to install a radiator and fan but ran into limited space and the following issue was going to be the fix to the problem. Well, I missed that issue and was wondering what your fix was. It would be a lot of help and I would like to see what you did before I make the final install of my new triple flow radiator from US Radiator.

Kory JohnstonVia email

Hi Kory, wow, that was a long time ago. As I recall, what I had to do was to swap out the original water pump (it was a small-block Chevy) for an early Chevy short pump. The shorter pumps were used I believe on ’68-and-earlier small-blocks and end up being a good two inches shorter than the post ’68 versions. That extra bit of space allowed us to slip a 16-inch electric fan (with an integral shroud) between the radiator and the water pump pulley with about a ½-inch to spare. Hope that helps! RIZ

Hey Jim, loved your rip last month on the “Doing the best with what we got” guy—some people just don’t get it. I am a newbie to the classic truck hobby. However, I have been dreaming about a truck like this since I was a kid. I bought my ’52 Chevy a few months ago and it was running fine. But now it won’t start. I suspect faulty wiring and I find myself in over my head. Any detailed instructions for rewiring a truck out there? I’ve seen wiring diagrams, but looks like gibberish to me. Please help!

Jason Locke,Via email

Hi Jason, I know how intimidating electrical wiring can be. Unfortunately, it’s a really common problem when working with vintage iron. Troubleshooting a problem like yours is tough for even the experienced but if you’ve got a bit of patience, and luck, you may be able to track down the problem on your own. One of the best and easiest to understand publications on wiring is available from a company called Watson’s Street Works in Bozra, Connecticut. You can find ’em on the web at www.watsons-streetworks.com or via the phone at 860-859-0513. I’m not 100-percent sure the booklet I’m referring to is still available (I’ve had mine for years) but they’re great folks and have a wealth of experience that they’re happy to share. Good luck, I hope you’re able to either find the source of your problem or even give rewiring the truck a try. With the availability of aftermarket harnesses, it’s often easier to rewire than trouble shoot. RIZ